mother's, that's all. But she is
really determined to see the ranch, at least, before she makes up her
mind whether to sell or not. In fact," she hesitated, colored a little,
then went on bravely, "dad has decided to send Allen out there to look
up the title. There is some trouble about that, I think----"

"Oh, now we know why she is so anxious to be a little cow girl," teased
Grace, while the others regarded Betty's pretty color gleefully.

"Oh, Betty, Betty!" cried Mollie, shaking her head dolefully, "you are
altogether hopeless!"

For Allen Washburn, of whom Betty had spoken in connection with the
ranch, was a very promising young lawyer. Also this promising young
lawyer was very fond of Betty Nelson. And while the girls are shaking
their heads over this fact a little time will be taken to describe the
Outdoor Girls to those readers who have not already met them and to
review briefly the many and varied adventures they had had up to this
time.

Betty Nelson, dark-haired, dark-eyed, and rosy-cheeked, was the natural
leader of the four Outdoor Girls, a fact which had led to her being
dubbed "Little Captain" by the adoring girls. Betty's father, Charles
Nelson, had made a good deal of money in his manufacture of carpets,
and Betty's mother was a very sweet lady whom the name of Rose fitted
exactly.

Next came Mollie Billette, dark-haired and with snapping black eyes, who
was almost as French in her manner as her very French mother.

Readers of the present volume must already feel very well acquainted
with Grace Ford. Grace was the Gibson type, tall and slender and
fair-haired and very pretty, with a decided liking for looking in
mirrors.

Last of the quartette came Amy Blackford. Amy was the ward of John and
Sarah Stonington, and for a long time she had thought her own name was
Stonington. The mystery of her past had been cleared up, however, and
Amy had come into her own. Shy, gentle, sweet, she was beloved and
protected by the more hardy and active Betty and Mollie. And Amy, as shy
girls sometimes will, had begun to think very much of Grace Ford's
attractive brother, Will--which is a reminder that it is time to
introduce "the boys."

Allen Washburn and his open fondness for Betty have already been spoken
of. Allen was tall, nearly six feet. Sunburned and handsome of face and
quick of action, Allen attracted every one wherever he went. And, truly,
Betty was no exception to this rule! Allen had been one of th